An indomitable groundhog scurries across my lawn, signaling the start of Spring. A hairy woodpecker drills at sunrise on the dead branches of a nearby locust tree, signaling the start of Spring. Pyramidal piles of pea like deer droppings accumulate by my patio, signaling the start of Spring.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
The calendar confirmed it days ago. The incessant honking of returning geese announced it from the heavens. Well tanned ‘snowbirds’, returning home from sea, sand and sun, gave us reason to be excited about the start of the new season with its clear skies and bright sunshine, Spring. Even weather reporters proclaimed its arrival, albeit nervously.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
Baseball players pass hours oiling their gloves and tarring their bats, hoping that fields will be green and plush for Opening Day. Golf courses are accepting starting times and streams have been stocked for the legal fishing season to start anew.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
Easter Sunday is days away. Schools are starting their Spring break. Pot holes turn roads into obstacle courses, following winter’s thaw, challenging drivers at every turn. The early crocus gallantly pushes through the frost covered ground as a colorful reminder of the changing equinox.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
Hand warmers are sold out at local stores, garden gloves fill their spots. Shovels are stowed and rakes are displayed. Surely, worn flannel sheets will be replaced by lighter cotton covers with the new warmer season, the Spring season.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
Mother Nature was not kind to western New Yorkers this winter. Sunshine was scarce. Dark, dank clouds covered us like a thick wet blanket, day after day, so it seemed. Only a symbol on the calendar gave rise to the notion that Spring had arrived. And while my weather app just flashed this warning, ‘snow flurries starting soon’, I am compelled to ask…
‘Where the heck is Spring?’
srbottch.com
S'amusing 
the robins have returned and the geese are flying north so maybe they know something we don’t! Enjoyed your article once again.
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Thank you, Meg. I appreciate it. My son sent me a picture if his magnolias in northern VA. So, it’s Spring somewhere.
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Hi my friend.
Un chef d’oeuvre.This might be Your Best short story.The style, the Art of writing I am missing vocabulary To say how I like or.
Thank you for sharing.
You are ready To write a book and win an award.
Xxxxx
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Oh, you French are so flattering. I would hire you as my European publicist and we would conquer the continent. We would do better than Napolean!!! LOL!!!
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Bless your old, cold hearts. Dogwoods are blossoming out, the old oak tree outside our deck is swelling with buds, the redwoods are absolutely beautiful and Gary cut the front yard yesterday here on the mountain. Supposed to be 70 tomorrow but heavy rains coming in over the weekend. Love your musings. Don’t lose heart, brother, Spring is on the way. Happy Easter to you and Cheryl
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I’m still wAiting. It erased us today but we actually have flurries in the forecast in a week, or so.
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Hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Today was a Spring teaser. We still have snow in our long range forecast. I hope they mean December. A stray crocus actually sprouted in the lawn today. A squirrel just have relocated it. Otherwise, no spring flowers have been spotted in these parts yet. Tulips and daffodils are still emerging front their winter hiding spots.
Are you watching March Madness? Did you see the wonderful comeback by Syracuse today? The ‘Cuse is the bug team around these parts. Go ‘Orange’!
Love, Stephen.
>
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It’s here, in TX. I’ll try to hurry it along your way! Enjoyed your post as always. Thanks so much for your thought provoking words!
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You’re very kind with your comment. I owe you some communication. Been busy painting. Are you on Instagram? As a professional narcissist, I’m there. Check me out at ‘srbottch’. What’s yours?
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Oh, my goodness. You are so far ahead of me. No Instagram for me. Yet!
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I like IG better than FB. It’s a nice community of people and I’ve made friends with contacts around the world. I enjoy taking photos and, as a professional narcissist (😄), it’s fun showing them and getting feedback. If you join, make sure to give me your user name. Best regards, Steve
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Will do!
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Ida Beth, I read your nice comment again and just want to tell you how I appreciated it. By the way, my friend has returned from FL and we’ll be getting together for another ‘Bar Chronicle’ evening. I already have a theme, ‘The Pin Setter’. Hope to write it soon. But, first, a beer or two.
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Well, Easter has come and gone and still no………………… S P R I N G ! Mama Weather is such a drama queen. Unlike me, of course. 🙂
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Not a flower to be seen, yet. Drat! ‘Thou art not a queen, thou art an actress…’ No, not Shakespeare, I made it up, myself. 😎
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I like it!
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I hear you! I see the robins, hear the woodpeckers and sit in the stands for lacrosse games. All harbingers of spring. Did I mention it snowed during the last lacrosse game? :).
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And I’m so appreciative that you’re sending it east. Our long range forecast is terrible. Y’know, I should have used that word, harbinger, in my story. ‘Shoulda, coulda, woulda’… Thanks for your comment and joining the ‘where the hell is spring’ chorus!
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Another well written story. Keep up the great work!
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Thank you. I have a number of stories started but seem to be in a mental block stage as far as finishing them, at least to my satisfaction. But I’ll break through soon so ‘stay tuned’.
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That’s a very good question, to which there is no answer as of the present moment!
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It was surprising to read that story from 7 years ago as it is the same circumstances today, or just about the same.
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I have alway looked forward to the Masters as a sure sign of Spring somewhere in the US! Our winter was mild this year and the stringing back to back days of sunshine are few in Spring and the gray skies dominate. It is something we complain about each year but we persevere, just like you do Stephen with your pen!
Thank you!
Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Love the Masters, too. As for Spring, all of s sudden, it’ll be here. And my writing, it’s good mental therapy. I should put them in a book😂
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We’re having three seasons in a day here, so that’s about normal!
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Any day, now. Keeping fingers crossed 😉.
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Hi Steve, I am assuming this is relevant again this year. Sorry you are getting snow flurries. Our weather is turning cooler now and soon the cosmos will finish and the leaves will start to fall.
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Spring seems to find its own way in its own time…. I think we are impatient after our Long winters of cold dark long days.. Even in April in England we have had heavy snow fall towards the end of April and even in May… Fingers crossed we are seeing the warmer weather finally arrive…
Thank you for your recent visit too… And for the repost..
Take care…. 🙂
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We had snow over the weekend. Spring is just taking her own sweet time getting here.
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I’m starting to look at April the way I do March, with a jaundiced eye. Stay warm, Liz.
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Our temps are going up a bit this week.
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Well, maybe not if you get out western NY winds. Today’s 45 felt like 29. Brrrrr!
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Oh dear, it’s dreadful when spring drags her feet. Mind you, I wrote a similar poem today about our weird autumn.
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And I loved the description of your Autumn conundrum, Robbie. By the way, my writing about it hasn’t made any difference. It’s still too cold. 😂
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Mine hasn’t made a difference either. In fact, it poured with rain last night.
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I think Mother Nature is mad at me for castigating her, she is giving us cold, damp weather and adding snow showers just for spite.
“Where is Spring?”
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It will come. Old Man Winter has to let go now.
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Yes, but will it last🥴? I’ve had several stories published in our town’s magazine. I think his one will Best regards, in next month ‘s issue, May. Of course, itllnn be probably Best regards, sunny and hot, then.
Thanks for your comment, Jennie. Have a very nice Easter.
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